Clinical Depression is a Mental Illness that Goes Beyond Simply Feeling Unhappy

Everyone has times when they feel sad or depressed; certainly it is a normal part of life to have high’s and low’s, good days and bad days. However, for some people, depression becomes a chronic problem and a mental illness. For these people, depression moves beyond simply being emotionally upset by set-backs experienced in life; it becomes an ongoing mental illness, where the sadness is unrelenting and often unrelated to actual goings on in the person’s life. When depression reaches this point, a person is said to be clinically depressed. This clinical depression is considered a mental illness, though for most people it has its roots in the physical body.

The Cause of Clinical Depression

Commonly called simply “depression,” a chronic, severely depressed person is often termed “clinically depressed” or said to have “major depressive disorder.” This depression usually carries with it problems with self-esteem and a general lack of desire to take an active part in life. Such depression harms both depressed patients and their families, as the patient pulls away from family activity and simply finds no joy in living life.

Depression is a mental illness that has been studied extensively for generations. Most researchers believe that this mental illness can be caused by a variety of factors. It is believed that clinical depression can have genetic roots and often is inherited from the parents. In addition to heredity, chemical imbalances, developmental problems and life experiences may all contribute to the development of depression in an individual.

Often, it seems that the potential for depression, the genetic or biological predisposition, can exist in a person but in a sense this potential lies dormant until circumstances bring this mental illness to the forefront. For instance, a person could have a predisposition towards depression, but as long as things in their life go relatively well, they are able to keep themselves from falling into this mental illness. However, one serious tragedy or major disappointment can be enough to send them spiraling into a world of chronic depression. This decent into sadness can end up destroying their life.

Treating Clinical Depression

Effectively treating the mental illness of depression usually involves both psychological counseling and medication. For many sufferers, medication seems to moderate hormones and help control other biological issues that can lead to depression. In many cases, medication is needed for a lifetime in order to keep this serious mental illness at bay. However, some anti-depressant medications have extremely negative side effects, and in certain populations such as children and teens, such medications can even cause worsening depression and suicidal tendencies. Thus, it is important that anyone on anti-depressant medication be regularly watched by a doctor or psychologist.

Treating a mental illness like depression also usually has a component of counseling and psychotherapy. Many patients recover better if they are able to work out their emotional issues with a trained counselor, seeking to understand the problems that underlie their abiding sadness.